Reacting to compliments

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launchpadmkquak
launchpadmkquak Posts: 53 Member
in Success Stories
As you all are losing weight, how do you react to compliments? I'm not big on seeking attention and the positive reinforcement is more embarrassing to me then helpful. I'm not saying I get mad when someone compliments me, but I'm not exactly comfortable with it. It may be a "guy thing" or it may be my own issue.

I guess I feel like my journey isn't done yet and I don't want buy into my own success yet. Strictly a mental thing with me. I feel like if I start listening to everyone's kind words, I may get a little complacent and lose motivation.

I guess what I'm really asking is how do you respond to compliments politely while trying to remain humble and focused?
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Replies

  • I_Will_End_You
    I_Will_End_You Posts: 4,397 Member
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    "Thanks"

    I don't like when people make unsolicited comments about my body either, even if they are positive. It's just uncomfortable for me. So I just say thanks and move along, change the subject, whatever.
  • trossk2
    trossk2 Posts: 50 Member
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    I like it. I take it as I would any other compliment. It's just someone saying something nice. Reading into it is where you get yourself in trouble.
  • neldabg
    neldabg Posts: 1,452 Member
    edited January 2016
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    launchpadmkquak wrote: »
    As you all are losing weight, how do you react to compliments? I'm not big on seeking attention and the positive reinforcement is more embarrassing to me then helpful. I'm not saying I get mad when someone compliments me, but I'm not exactly comfortable with it. It may be a "guy thing" or it may be my own issue.

    I guess I feel like my journey isn't done yet and I don't want buy into my own success yet. Strictly a mental thing with me. I feel like if I start listening to everyone's kind words, I may get a little complacent and lose motivation.

    I guess what I'm really asking is how do you respond to compliments politely while trying to remain humble and focused?

    I agree with you there. I've learned to strictly go by my own (and my doctor's) opinion of my body. People were telling me how slim I was when I was still 20lbs away from a healthy BMI(????). People generally do *not* know what healthy looks like, especially here in the USA, where everyone and everything is huge, so it's smart that you're teaching yourself now to ignore everyone's compliments.
    Compliments don't really bother me, but advice-type commentary is what really annoys me.
    I say "thank you" with a small smile and change the subject. It's polite, and it gives the person a tiny hint that you won't be focusing on your weight control success for the rest of your time together.
  • robingmurphy
    robingmurphy Posts: 349 Member
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    "Thanks. I've been working hard at it."
  • callsitlikeiseeit
    callsitlikeiseeit Posts: 8,627 Member
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    'thanks for noticing' and a smile

  • Alatariel75
    Alatariel75 Posts: 17,959 Member
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    "Thank you". That's really all it needs. I think of compliments as anything else that someone may give me. I may not have asked for it, or needed it, but they went out of their way to give it, so I ought to say thank you. Telling them they are wrong, or rejecting may be impolite. But I also don't go on to expand on my thanks unless I'm comfortable getting into a conversation about my methods, and all that conversation entails.
  • myssjaxson
    myssjaxson Posts: 89 Member
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    It takes me by surprise, because I don't feel like I look different really until I look at a before picture is the only time I can tell. I just say thanks, I guess I still don't yet feel like I'm at a good weight, but I'm only 15lbs from my original goal. It makes me kinda uncomfortable for people to acknowledge it, I have social anxiety and knowing someone has paid attention makes me nervous. But I appreciate the compliment and their kindness I do, just still have a mental barrier there.
  • maroonmango211
    maroonmango211 Posts: 908 Member
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    It was really hard at first to actually accept a compliment and not think either "oh they're just being nice" or "this is somehow backhanded and they really mean it as an insult." The longer I've stayed around the same size (not weight) the easier it has gotten. Maybe because less of the compliments revolve around "oh you look like you've lost weight" and so on and are now more like "you look pretty today." To be honest I think I'm still quite self conscious of the weight loss compliments, maybe because I'm not quite at goal yet or because I'm realizing my confidence issues never stemmed from my weight in the first place.

    Like others have said I usually smile and say thank you. After all they took the time to say something nice, that kinda thing doesn't happen very often any more and it deserves a nice response.
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,464 Member
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    robingmurphy wrote: »
    "Thanks. I've been working hard at it."

    ^^this. I'll take all the encouragement I can get. It's not easy.
  • thereshegoesagain
    thereshegoesagain Posts: 1,056 Member
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    "Thanks, I feel great."
  • salud2015
    salud2015 Posts: 9 Member
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    callsitlikeiseeit wrote: »
    'thanks for noticing' and a smile

    Exactly!
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
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    "Thank you." And then change the subject. Because sometimes they are just being polite and do not want to talk about it much either.
    If they do want to talk more about it, it is none of their business. The weight loss journey is very personal. And if that is how you feel about it, keep it that way.
    BTW, congrats on your loss :)
  • launchpadmkquak
    launchpadmkquak Posts: 53 Member
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    Thanks for all your thoughts and feedback.
  • Mexicanbigfoot
    Mexicanbigfoot Posts: 520 Member
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    I_Will_End_You wrote: »
    "Thanks"

    I don't like when people make unsolicited comments about my body either, even if they are positive. It's just uncomfortable for me. So I just say thanks and move along, change the subject, whatever.

    ^ this - it always makes me uncomfortable. I'm sure that the person giving the compliment is coming from a good place, but I don't feel like it's ok to comment on my body. I'm losing weight for my health, not for attention.
  • Odilerubia
    Odilerubia Posts: 80 Member
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    Start giving well meant compliments to people and watch how they react. I think the world becomes a better and more positive place when people compliment each other more (especially in the Netherlands where people barely give compliments). Every compliment given by another human being is for me a little gift. It means someone is interested enough in you to notice you and to be kind. To me it doesnt have anything to do with your weight, but if you value yourself enough as a human being to trust the person telling you something nice is not saying it because he or she is just trying to get something out of it. How you handle yourself receiving it and the way you react depends on your own grace and charming personality.
  • Scamd83
    Scamd83 Posts: 808 Member
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    launchpadmkquak wrote: »
    As you all are losing weight, how do you react to compliments? I'm not big on seeking attention and the positive reinforcement is more embarrassing to me then helpful. I'm not saying I get mad when someone compliments me, but I'm not exactly comfortable with it. It may be a "guy thing" or it may be my own issue.

    I guess I feel like my journey isn't done yet and I don't want buy into my own success yet. Strictly a mental thing with me. I feel like if I start listening to everyone's kind words, I may get a little complacent and lose motivation.

    I guess what I'm really asking is how do you respond to compliments politely while trying to remain humble and focused?

    I feel awkward when I get a compliment because I feel there's a certain thing I should say in response but have no idea what it is. Totally get you on the 'journey isn't done' thing, nobody else really gets that when they think you're slim enough already. What they think I should be happy with and what I'm happy with are different.
  • crikey_katie
    crikey_katie Posts: 136 Member
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    It makes me feel awkward when people comment on it. I lost about 70 pounds but it has been years since I initially lost the weight and I still get comments about it when I post a photo to facebook. I just say thanks and try to move on to another subject.
  • melgillis
    melgillis Posts: 75 Member
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    Nod smile be polite and professional and say thank you.
  • Azercord
    Azercord Posts: 573 Member
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    "Damn straight, I'm a sexy beast! *flex*

    Well I say that in my head at least, I usually just smile and say thanks. I do like specific compliments though. I had someone compliment my forearms and while I found that odd it made me feel really good because that is one of my weakest areas. Compliments just let you know you're headed in the right direction, not that you are done.
  • William4MVP
    William4MVP Posts: 166 Member
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    Hardly ever get complimented :neutral: I do notice more people stare I guess

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